Haltern am See, 21^st March 2017. At the latest with the beginning of spring pupils plan their work placements abroad. Some have already found their work placement and are supported by the Elena Bleß Foundation. This time one pupil goes to Russia and also Creil is again the aim of trainees. As in the last year also exchange projects for pupils at the partner schools are supported. An exchange with Boulogne Sur-Mer, taking place in April, has already been definitely planned.

Marl, 12th December 2016. Ellie Baines is glad. As a teacher of St. Bedes College, Scunthorpe, her mother is in charge of the exchange with the Gymnasium im Loekamp, Marl. The English exchange pupils visited their German host families from 28^th November until 2^nd December. Ellie was also among them. The exchange has already been taking place for fifteen years. It makes it possible for English and German youth to get an insight into the school and everyday life of the partner country. This year, for example, the programme included a visit to the Harkort Primary School with the English pupils talking about everyday school life in Great Britain and presenting English school uniforms. Unfortunately, financing the exchange becomes increasingly difficult for the English pupils, Ellie Baines reports in a letter to the Elena Bleß Foundation. By the Foundation taking over a part of the travel expenses it could now be realized. The planning of the next exchange is already well under way.

Bochum, 8th December 2016. In the context of the ARAL Christmas Donation and together with Jörg Lutz (Business Unit Director BP Europe) and Kerstin Leineweber (ARAL Marketing) Patrick Wendeler (in the picture on the left), Executive Chairman of ARAL, presented 8,000 Euros with a symbolical cheque to the Elena Bleß Foundation. With the annual campaign ARAL supports institutions in Bochum and environs that do work of great significance in the field of education and integration. “With it vocational work placements abroad can be made possible for about 17 further pupils”, Annette Bleß, who accepted the donation in Bochum together with Martin Bleß, was pleased to say.

Roost-Warendin, 30^th November 2016. In their work placement reports two girls and a boy from Joseph-König-Gymnasium in Haltern am See tell about their work placement in the pre- and primary school (picture) in Haltern’s French twin town Roost-Warendin. The three of them agreed: They would in any case recommend a work placement abroad. The host families and the headmaster of the school in Roost-Warendin, too, were thrilled by the committed pupils, which they announced to the Elena Bleß Foundation after the work placement. The Foundation has supported the work placements partly organizationally, partly financially.